On June 1, the Hamburg District Court opened the insolvency proceedings on the assets of Görtz Retail GmbH, as the responsible press office announced on Wednesday. Gideon Böhm was appointed insolvency administrator by the Münzel & Böhm law firm, who already worked in the provisional procedure.
In the past few weeks, branch closures at Görtz – including all locations in the HAMBURGER home of the traditional company – have repeatedly made headlines. Böhm now confirmed that after the opening of the insolvency proceedings, two offers from investor: inside. In total, three branches, including the employees employed there, were broadcast.
In addition, the two Görtz branches in Dresden and Oldenburg remain open even after the insolvency proceedings are opened. A handover to potential investor: In these cases, it is still possible in these cases. Until then, the respective employees who have been informed about this perspective will continue to sell.
Transfer of branches only via an agreement with the respective landlord: inside possible
Böhm would have loved to transfer other branches to investor: inside. But other plans of the landlords: inside or excessive rental claims in downtown locations prevented this. One of the main reasons for this is that Görtz’s trademark rights are not in the assets of insolvent Görtz Retail GmbH. Society also does not belong to society. Therefore, a transfer of branches was only possible via an agreement with the respective landlord: inside – a fact that made the already difficult starting point of the procedure made.
In his communication, Böhm particularly emphasizes the commitment of the employees. In January 2025 he found an extremely difficult starting situation in the company. The fact that it was possible to stabilize Görtz over a good six months and to continue using the application for bankruptcy is primarily due to the high commitment of the workforce. Despite the situation, the current labor market opportunities for the qualified employees are very good, many have already reoriented themselves independently – in some cases, complete teams have been together to play new employers: in the interior.
“Despite the difficult framework conditions, everyone pulled along – on their commitment to the customers, it was always relying,” said Böhm. “There were almost no sick reports – that is exceptional in such a procedure.”
However, the previous bankruptcy proceedings were not entirely without job cuts. After the Federal Employment Agency in February had rejected an application from Görtz Retail GmbH to pre-finance bankruptcy money for around 400 employees, the previous employees were released in the Görtz branches that were already closed.